About two months ago I was given a sweet little cat, maybe still kitten, by a local pet store. "Gia" was in awful shape. After getting hundreds of fleas off of her and worming her we began to focus on her weight. She was fur and bones. Today she is so much healthier and very playful. Question? In the last few weeks Gia's nipples have swollen and are bright pink. At first I thought that maybe she was getting ready to come into heat and I inquired about spaying. Now, in the last week she has gotten a firm swell in her belly, but, not huge like kittens are coming. My question is....if she was pregnant and I have had her for 8 weeks wouldn't she be big on her sides and ready to give birth? I have fostered and trained dogs for years. I have no clue about cats but would love to learn. Thank you.

She may be going through false pregnancy, My mouse went through it once but after a few days the swelling decreased. Or, Maybe her nipp;es are swellling because she is goin ginto heat and she may have worms or a parisite causeing her belly to swell. Maybe you should post about it in the pet health forum. Dr. Lee is awesome and will probably have An answer for you! Hes the best!

Sorry can't answer your question, as I really don't know. I don't have any experience with pregnant cats or how they are supposed to look. This is an experience that I will be looking forward to in the future, as I rescue homeless cats! When you bring home a new cat, you should first take it to a vet and have it checked, vaccinated, de-wormed and de-flead. The vet would tell you which food to use and how much, depending on the cat's condition. You should never administer any treatments youself. Cats can transfer diseases to dogs, cats and humans, that's why it is important to see the vet immediately. Unless you get a cat from a reputable rescue which has already been seen by a vet and has a vet's file included in the adoption transaction. It is good of you to take on this homeless cat.

Question? In the last few weeks Gia's nipples have swollen and are bright pink... Now, in the last week she has gotten a firm swell in her belly, but, not huge like kittens are coming. My question is....if she was pregnant and I have had her for 8 weeks wouldn't she be big on her sides and ready to give birth?

I agree with Katherine93's suggestion of a false pregnancy or pseudocyesis. This would be the most likely. As 14+kitties wrote, the term of pregnancy is not long and it would be hard to imagine that she got pregnant and remained so while she was in such a terrible state. Typically the body will halt any pregnancy and resorb the fetuses if they are really sick. Mastitis or inflammation or infections of the mammary glands might be a possibility. Could you describe the "firm swelling in her belly..." a bit more? I don't fully understand what you mean. Also if the only sign is nipples that are bright pink, then contact irritation and pemphigous come to mind as well. With so many possibilities, perhaps a veterinarian examination might be helpful. Hope this was helpful

Thank you so much everyone who replied to my questions about Gia. Per Dr. request...Gia's belly extended a few days ago. It feels like there are two or three golf balls in there. Otherwise it is just firm and round. She has an apt. with a vet. in two days. Thank you so much again.

Just a shot in the dark but, could it be tumors, from living such a horrible life in the past? I dont know much about it But Maybe whats causing her abdominal distension is fluid accumulatin from an internal hemorrage ,Urine (from a tear in the urinary tract), exudate (cellular fluids, similar to pus) from infection as with feline infectious peritonitis and transudates that are leaked from vessels.Another cause of abdominal distension is enlargement of any abdominal organ including the liver, kidneys, or spleen. But like i said, i dont know that much about it so the vet is the way to go!